Mechanical devices - AQATypes of motion

Mechanical devices can change one form of force to another. All moving parts work on some sort of mechanism.

Part ofDesign and TechnologyCore technical principles

Types of motion

Mechanical devices all have an motion, which transforms into force to make an motion. The four types of motion are:

  • linear
  • rotary
  • reciprocating
  • oscillating

Linear motion moves something in a straight line, eg a train moving down a track:

A straight arrow to demonstrate linear motion sat alongside a photograph of a train.

Rotary motion is where something moves around an axis or pivot point, eg a wheel:

A circular arrow demonstrating rotary motion sat alongside a photograph of wheels on a bike.

Reciprocating motion has a repeated up and down motion or back-and-forth motion, eg a piston or pump:

Two arrows to demonstrate reciprocating motion of an up-and-down and back-and-forth motions sat above a photograph of a water pump

Oscillating motion has a curved backwards and forwards movement that swings on an axis or pivot point, eg a swing or a clock pendulum:

Curved arrow to show the backward-and-forward swinging movement of an oscillating motion alongside a photograph of a pendulum clock.
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